TOLERANCE AND FORGIVENESS The Holy <strong>Prophet</strong> of Islam never attempted <strong>to</strong> retaliate against the insults and disrespect of anybody, and forgave people’s mistakes or their misconduct. His reaction <strong>to</strong> the <strong>to</strong>rment and disregard of the ignorant people was forgiveness and <strong>to</strong>lerance. In spite of <strong>all</strong> the <strong>to</strong>rtures and <strong>to</strong>rments that the Quraysh had inflicted upon the Holy <strong>Prophet</strong>, on conquering Makkah, he forgave them & set them free. In the war of Uhud, a man named Wahshi killed Hamzah, the beloved uncle of the Holy <strong>Prophet</strong> of Islam. However, he forgave his sin. Also, he forgave the many <strong>to</strong>rments and troubles that Abu Sufyan and his wife, Hind, had caused for him and he did not take revenge. However, for <strong>all</strong> his <strong>to</strong>lerance and mercifulness, he did not take pity on those who violated God’s threshold and sacred precepts and would punish the viola<strong>to</strong>r in accordance with divine rules. In affecting God’s orders, he would take no notice of anybody’s intercession. When the <strong>Prophet</strong> was informed that Fatima Mukhzumiyah had <strong>com</strong>mitted theft, he punished her according <strong>to</strong> the laws of Islam concerning theft and did not regard the intercession of Asamata bin Zayd in this respect, saying, “The ruin and downf<strong>all</strong> of the preceding peoples was due <strong>to</strong> the fact that they did not enforce the laws of punishment in the case of the aris<strong>to</strong>crats and the people of status. I swear by the One in Whose hands is my life that even if Fatima (his daughter) had <strong>com</strong>mitted such a sin, I would cut off her hand”. THE PROPHET WAS A PIOUS AND SINCERE WORSHIPPER OF GOD: The Holy <strong>Prophet</strong> of Islam had great love for ritual prayers so that during the night he would get up several times, brush his teeth, and then offer the most devoted prayers. He would stand worshipping God and talking sincerely <strong>to</strong> the Almighty Crea<strong>to</strong>r for so long that as a result of so much standing in prayer, his legs were swollen. In such a sm<strong>all</strong> book it is not possible <strong>to</strong> describe <strong>all</strong> his praise-worthy manners and morals. In fact, we have just presented a pale reflection of his celestial, resplendent portrait so that <strong>all</strong> over the world Muslims who regard themselves as the followers of Islam can make his morals and conduct their own model of behavior and learn divine morality and correct programs for life from him. All praise belongs <strong>to</strong> Almighty God, and may God’s greetings be upon him, who was the selected superior and the best of pious human beings. And the greetings of the angels upon the faithful. We <strong>to</strong>o greet him most cordi<strong>all</strong>y and sincerely. May he accept our respectful greetings as well as the greetings of you, our sisters and brothers in Islam. May Almighty God help <strong>all</strong> of us <strong>to</strong> follow exactly the blessed footsteps of the Holy <strong>Prophet</strong>, whose path is sure <strong>to</strong> lead us in<strong>to</strong> eternal salvation and paradise. Note: <strong>Prophet</strong> Mohammad (<strong>pbuh</strong>)’s life was a practical demonstration of the Holy Qur’an. His life and his character are exemplary for the Muslims. Even Non-Muslims have acknowledged the strength of his beautiful character as we can see in the following chapter. <strong>Prophet</strong> Mohammad (<strong>pbuh</strong>) spread the light of Islam <strong>to</strong> far flung areas in a short span of 23 years. But do not forget, it was based on a strong foundation of character, which he had built over 40 years prior <strong>to</strong> spreading the message of Islam. Today, we Muslims will have <strong>to</strong> think whether we have built our characters on the same pattern as was the character of our <strong>Prophet</strong> (<strong>pbuh</strong>). Unfortunately, our characters are not reflective of <strong>Prophet</strong> Mohammad (<strong>pbuh</strong>). As a result, Islam is disgraced and subdued in the entire world. This is <strong>all</strong> because we Muslims failed <strong>to</strong> follow our dear <strong>Prophet</strong> (<strong>pbuh</strong>) and failed <strong>to</strong> build our characters. May Almighty God help us <strong>all</strong> <strong>to</strong> strengthen our characters and be<strong>com</strong>e the beacons of Islam. http://www.islamicoccasions.<strong>com</strong>
He attained the height of eminence by his perfection; He dispelled the darkness (of the world) by his grace; Excellent were <strong>all</strong> his qualities; Pray for blessings on him and his descendants. Shaikh Sa’di Sheerazi (RA) http://www.islamicoccasions.<strong>com</strong>
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